2 Lucas the Brave

CHAPTER 2

Lucas the Brave Lucas dashed over a bridge and down into the village. Chickens squawked and scattered to get out of his way. The villagers bowed and tipped their hats as he rode by. Clang! Clang! The school bell rang down the lane. Lucas slapped the reins and hurried toward the sound of the bell. As he drew near, he leaped over a stone wall and came to a rest. He hopped from the saddle and quickly changed his clothes.

Lucas tucked his curly red hair inside the felt hat. Then he grabbed a handful of dirt and smudged his cheeks. He tied Ivan to a low tree branch, and hung the sack with his princely clothes from the saddle. "Well, Ivan," he said, "here goes." Lucas climbed over the stone wall and stood in front of the schoolhouse. A swirl of smoke curled from the chimney. Lucas took a deep breath. Today I am Lucas the

Brave! he said to himself. Then he marched up to the schoolhouse and slowly pulled open the doors. Creak! The children sat in front of the teacher on benches. Everyone turned to stare at Lucas. A girl with a thin

braid crowning her brown hair gasped and cupped her hand over her mouth. "Good morning, boy," the teacher said. "Are you here to join us?" "Yes," said Lucas. "I'm new in town." "Please have a seat," she said. "I'm Mistress Carson. What's your name?" "My name is Flynn," fibbed the prince as he sat down on a bench at the back of the classroom. "Welcome," Mistress Carson said. "Class, please say good morning to Flynn." "Good morning, Flynn," said the class.

"Now all eyes on me," said the teacher. "We're going to work on subtraction." The children turned toward the teacher, all except the girl with the braided crown. It was Clara, Lucas's old friend from the palace. She looked at the prince and